FRAGILE GIANTS

Naturally I'm a word person and a deep thinker. So every now and then, I take my time to masticate, enjoy and absorb my own thoughts.

These thoughts I freely share with you using this medium. So today I've deliberately soaked in my thoughts and I'll love to share.

Here we go!
But I'll love you to take it slowly ...
Savour the taste!

It's one thing to have Eyes, it's another to have eyes that see.
It's one thing to have a Heart, it's another to have a heart that understands!

It's one thing to pray for an opportunity but it is also not as easy to spot an opportunity when you see one;
and even when you do spot the opportunity, it takes a whole lot more to grab it!

It is one thing to have goals and it yet another to be knowledgeable about prioritizing...

It's even  way tougher to order your priorities right, on a scale of preference! 

It's one thing to have a scale of preference and it is yet another to have it structured on sound judgement.... 

It is one thing to know about sound judgement and counsel but it way tougher to understand perspective!

It is one thing to be conscious of external perspectives, it is also another to understand the string of events that formed the said perspective.....

If you understand the string of events, it's a different ball game to make excuses for them!

It's one thing to make excuses based on these events but it is yet another to forgive the underlying course of action.....

It is one thing to forgive the course of actions but it is yet another to forget it!

It is one thing to forget but it yet another to reinstate affection!

Truly life is Deep, Deeper than the sound of the word! 

If we can do a little pondering,
If we can try to rearrange this article from the bottom to the first line,
All the answers we expect life to give us will be staring us right in the face!

Let me make this easy for you by rearranging every highlighted word .. .

If you intend to move forward, then my friends, you must learn to ;

Reinstate affection(be it for people, a person or a cause), forget the course of action (and let me add, inactions), make excuses for the string of events....

Consider them the result of perspective, depend more on counsel and sound judgement to build your scale of preference......

As you prioritize your goals, you will be able to grab the opportunities you have spotted and prayed for.... 

Let your heart be ruled by understanding, only then will you see clearly, choose wisely and build a secured future! 

Love,
Chioma Agwu Mba,
Your Fragile Giant!

Having a background in Tech and working with kids in my part of Africa this Summer on the subject of TECH, opened my eyes more to the amazing benefits of getting more children intrested in thinking Technology.

Need I mention that Nation's like China went from obscurity to Limelight because of their practice of Tech.

I dare say, that in the continent of Africa where a lot of countries are tagged "underdeveloped", the way out of this rut is Tech.

Think about it, how many countries in Africa are rich in Oil, which is considered a major for countries with robust economies or even other mineral resources?
Your guess is as good as mine!

Now in the absence of priced Mineral Resources, we should be asking, WHAT NEXT?
And for me, without batting an eye lid, THE ANSWER IS TECH!

More Directly, getting kids involved in Tech is the certified cost effective way to building the bridge between underdevelopment and a Robust Economy!

Kids naturally have all the curiosity and enthusiasm that propels making new discoveries, fearless experiments, proving already propounded theories with all the ease in the world.

Kids seems to have a symphony with nature, mother nature in turn responds by letting them in on "new creations", for little or no cost.

Hey mama, you need to disengage your Karate pose, I'm not the enemy here! I'm rather the Angel of glad tidings.  Just before you knock me out, let me say that I am well aware of the worries parents and guardians share.

As a matter of fact, Top 5 on the list of growing concerns parents share as it has to do with allowing their kids to get involved  with Technology will include;

•Tech makes kids grow up too fast..

• Tech makes  it hard for parents to keep up with what their kids are doing.

• Tech Distracts kids  from family time.

•Tech  Inhibits outside play and engagement with the natural world, a typical Nigerian born before or around the 90's should understand this

• Tech makes  it challenging for kids to distinguish between the real world and the virtual one.

As much as I completely share these concerns, I'll love to say that the good of Tech, far outweighs it's bad.
love it or hate it, smart devices are in your children’s lives and they’re here to stay.

In my opinion we should shift our concern from what the downsides are to how this young ones' can be guided in making positive use of their romance with Tech.

We should be asking questions like how do we set up controls that ensure they stay in line, rather than how do we stop our kids from using smart devices?

In case you still aren't convinced why you should let you're kids get involved in Tech, that is quite understandable. As a matter of fact, that's the chief reason for writing this article.We just got started!

Just stick with me and I can guarantee that when I'm done showing you the BENEFITS; socially, Mentally and otherwise, your kids will be surfing the world of Tech long before they loose their first Milk Teeth.

The party just began, stay glued as I bring you a follow-up article on the WHY KIDS SHOULD LOVE TECH!

It's so good to have you all back and as always it's with,

Lots of love,
Your Fragile Giant

For the most part of this week, we have been on the RÉSUMÉ SERIES....

My motivation is simple, to make for more employable people!

Yes there may be a few jobs but nothing says you can't be numbered amongst the "few" who get these jobs.

Yesterday we dealt with "EASY STEPS TO BUILDING A RÉSUMÉ, Where we outlined the components of a professional Résumé and in their order of importance.

As conclusion, I stated that it wasn't enough to know the order of this components but you need to take it a step further by getting the interviews attention within a time target of 5minutes or less.

The First hard truth is, you are certainly not the only one applying for the job!

The Second hard truth is, in an interview section, what's foremost an interviewers mind is the use of  "elimination method" in selecting the best candidate for the job.

What this means is that when a résumé comes in, interviewers are not looking for who to FIND but rather who to "DISQUALIFY", in other to make their own job of selecting easy!

That little detail you overlooked or plain did not know about could give you a "BYE!" in place of a "Hi"....

You are already asked to use the "EXIT" DOOR, even before you get a chance to say your name....
How sad!

Yes someone will definitely be disqualified but LET THAT "SOMEONE" NOT BE YOU!

It can be a challenge to get your resume noticed by employers, but there are ways to tweak it.
There are also a few simple changes you can make to help it stand out from the crowd of resumes when an interviewer reviews it.


These quick and easy-to-do tips will help get your resume past the initial submission of CV's and noticed by recruiters.

1. Keep it simple
Your CV doesn't have to be "busy". A simple format is easier an interviewer to quickly peruse.
Save the fancy formatting for your portfolio if you’re in a design field.

2. Use a basic font.
The best font to use is a simple font such as Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri. Be sure to use a font size that’s readable – 10 to 12 points works best. Use bold and italics to highlight job titles and employers.

3. Use bullets.
Less is more when it comes to words on a resume. Use brief action-oriented sentences that describe your role at each employer.

4. Meet set requirements.
 Make sure you meet the qualifications. Qualifications for being considered are usually listed on a notice or advert.

Make sure you have at least the minimum required qualifications to be considered. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting everyone’s time, your own included. 

5. Customize your resume.
Don’t send the same generic resume in for every job. Take the time to customize it by including the qualifications and skills the company is looking for so the employer knows you have the right stuff.

As well as writing your resume to match the job.

6. Focus on your accomplishments.
The employer wants to know what you accomplished, not just what you did. Focus your resume on what you achieved in each job, not your job responsibilities.

7. Add a Skills Section.
Adding a skills section to your resume is another good way to show that you’re qualified.
Include your most relevant skills

8. Make sure your resume matches the job posting.
The closer a match your resume is to the job qualifications, the better your chance of getting selected for an interview. Make a list of the qualifications the employer wants, and then be sure to include as many as possible in your resume.

9. Getting hired is a numbers game. Employers like to see quantifiable achievements on resumes. Include numbers wherever possible and use numbers not words when you’re listing them. For example, write 30% not thirty percent.

10. Get rid of old jobs.
You don’t need to include all your work experience on your resume. If you have a lengthy work history the last 10 – 15 years is plenty. You may be required to list them all on job applications, but your resume is a synopsis of your employment history, not your life story!

11. Get rid of non-essential information. Your resume is professional, not personal. You should not include information about your personal life, family or hobbies or anything else not related to work.

12. Add information.
If your resume is light on paid full-time work experience that qualifies you for the job, it’s fine to add internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer experience.

13. Move the Education section to the bottom.
Focus on your work experience (typically in reverse chronological order) then put your education and other information at the bottom of your resume. You don’t need to include your GPA except if it's part the requirements.

14. Add a headline or profile.
A brief eye-catching headline or profile is a great way to grab the reader’s attention. Be sure that it focuses on what you can offer the employer, not on what you want from a job.

15. Match your resume to LinkedIn.
It’s a good idea to include the URL of your LinkedIn profile on your resume. It’s even better if you personalize your LinkedIn URL, so it includes your name. Do take the time to make sure your resume matches your LinkedIn profile because employers will check.

16. Check for typos.
Resume errors matter, and don’t think a spelling or grammatical error won’t get picked up. Unfortunately, the mistake will jump right off the page and get noticed. Grammar is a terrific tool for making sure that your resume and cover letters are perfect.

17. Give it a recognizable name.
Don’t call your resume “resume” if you are presenting it in soft copy format – take a second or two to personalize the file name to FirstLastNameResume.doc – that way it’s clearly recognizable as your resume to recruiters and hiring managers.

18. Save it as a PDF.
If you save your resume as a PDF, you won’t have to worry about funky formatting or the recruiter seeing a garbled mess.
Unless the employer requires a different format, send a PDF so readers can view your resume exactly as you want it to look.

19. Add a cover letter.
A cover letter, even if it’s not required, is the best way to highlight the specific qualifications you have for the job. You can use your cover letter to focus on the experience that best suits you for the job.

20. Use a connection.
Getting your resume into the hands of the right person can help you get an interview. Your goal is to get your resume read and knowing someone who can help that happen will make a big difference in the outcome of your application.

As a matter of common sense, build a relationship with an insider at least for feedback sake!

Secondly have a strong Referral, Referees with strong professional profiles. Referrals are the number one sources of  background checks by the recruiters.

Thank you for sticking out this long, I apologize also where you consider the series as becoming monotonous!

The information may not be tagged "familiar" to you but could be a needed "first" for some other person....

We are almost done, we conclude tomorrow with 15 THINGS NOT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR RÉSUMÉ and then i'll also drop the FREE RÉSUMÉ TEMPLATE here as well...

Until tomorrow, it's adiós......

With lots of Love,
Your Fragile Giant!

Yesterday we began the RÉSUMÉ SERIES with TYPES OF RÉSUMÉ, where I emphasized that the kind of résumé or CV you build will depend of the kind of job you are applying for.

If you missed yesterday's episode, do well to check it out!

Today we are taking the series a step further with STEPS TO BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ OR CV.

Creating a resume can be challenging when you start thinking about all the information you need to share with prospective employers.

Your employment history, educational background, skills, and qualifications need to be presented in a way that will help you get picked for a job interview.

Rather than a simple list of the jobs you have held, it’s important to include information specific to the positions for which you're applying.

What’s the easiest way to write a resume? If you look at resume building as a step-by-step process, it will be easier to do. So I'm listing the processes in that order!

In relation to your knowledge of the different type of résumé, you don't always have to build your CV from scratch each time, once you’ve created your first resume, all you need to do is refresh your old one.
You can simply alter it to match with the job you’re applying for.

On this session for how to build a resume, im going to be showing you the components required in an interview-winning resume, a resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

Right now, it is a general expectation from employers that job seekers must be computer literate, even to as low as the basics.

Next i personally expect you to be able to build a resume yourself by the end of this series.

So I'll say in passing, that before You Begin Building Your Resume;

1. Choose a Word Processor.
Before you start to work on your resume, you’ll need a word processor. You need to have word processing software installed on your computer or smart phone(you may be excused for not having a computer, but for a smart phone, almost everyone does)

One of the benefits of building your CV from your personal device is that you can update, send, and share your resume at any point in time!

That makes the application process much simpler because you’ll be able to easily apply for jobs from anywhere that’s convenient for you.

2. Next, plan the "framework" of your CV. 
Write only the "basics", Employers are looking for a synopsis of your credentials, not everything you have done in your career. 

In many cases, a one-page resume is sufficient. If you have extensive experience, longer may be necessary.

In general, shorter is better, with a few bullet points for each job, brief sentences, descriptions that are action and accomplishment oriented, and plenty of white space on the page.

Your goal is to wow the hiring manager and present a document that promotes you as an ideal candidate for the position. 

3. Compile Your Personal and Employment Information
Collect all the information you need to include before you start writing your resume. It’s much easier to write, edit, and format a document when you have all the details you need in front of you. Make a list of the contact information you want to use, all your jobs, your education, certifications, and other credentials.

4. Start writing your Résumé
When you have compiled all the information you need, it should be listed in an order I will outline, below.

Don’t worry about fonts and formatting your document yet. Once you have everything down on paper, you will be able to adjust the font size and type, spacing, and add formatting options to your resume.

Without further ado, below are the STEPS TO BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL CV

(a)Resume Heading

• Full Name (Prisca Maurice. Applicant)
• Street Address (options for listing your address)
• City, State, Zip
• Email Address (don’t use your work email, in a case where your former job had customized emails for staff)
• Telephone Number (make sure you have a professional voicemail message for missed calls)

(b) Profile or Objective
Adding a profile or an objective to your resume gives the employer a brief overview of your qualifications. This is an optional component of a resume.

If you include it, focus on what prospective employers are seeking rather than what you want in your next job. Hiring managers want to know what you have to offer.

(c) Summary of Qualifications
A summary of qualifications is another optional section of a resume. It’s a statement that includes your skills, abilities, experience, and what qualifies you for the position.

(d) Experience
Your work history is the most important component of your resume. Employers will want know where you have worked, when you worked there, and what responsibilities you held in each role you have had. They will be looking to see how your experience lines up with what they are looking for in prospective employees.

List the jobs and internships you have held in reverse chronological order, (if your not sure how this works, refer to to my previous post) with the most recent positions first.

For each position, include: job title, company, location, dates of employment, and a bulleted list of the strongest accomplishments for each job.

It’s important to be accurate with employment dates because most employers conduct background checks.

At this point, I'll have to include that most employers also scrutinize as far as as your social media handles, so as much as possible sanitize your timelines, keeping it next to "formal".

(e) Volunteer Work
If you have volunteer experience that’s related to the jobs you’re applying for, or if you have volunteered to avoid an employment gap, list volunteering as you would the jobs you have held.

(f) Education
The education section generally comes next. You need only to list degrees earned, with the highest first, when you have been out of school for a few years.

If you’re a student or recent graduate, the education section of your resume can be listed above your employment history. If you have work experience, list it below that section.

Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent and advanced education first. Include the name of the school, the degree earned, and the date you graduated.

You don't need to include your GPA on your resume, you can only submit that on request.

(g) Certifications
The next section of your resume includes any certifications you have.

(h) Awards and Accomplishments
Don’t be shy about mentioning awards and achievements you have earned. They show the employer that you are a well-credentialed candidate who has been recognized for your accomplishments.

(I) Skills
This section of a resume includes the skills you have that are directly related to the job for which you’re applying.

Employers typically list required or preferred skills in job listings when itemizing the qualifications for the position. List your most closely related abilities here, using a bulleted list format.

(J) Personal Interests
This section is necessary only If you have personal interests that are strongly related to the position you’re applying for, list them here.

That's it on today's episode!

Again, that you now know the components of a PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ and in the order it should be arranged doesn't mean that is all there is to know.

At the end of this series, I'll be dropping a FREE CV template on the blog, to further assist you in building your own professional CV.

But before then, knowing the components alone is not enough to get an EMPLOYERS ATTENTION, it's much deeper than that.

So tomorrow, I'll be sharing 20 TIPS TO GETTING AN EMPLOYERS ATTENTION!

I most sincerely hope you have found the information so far resourceful and if you haven't, as a result of your familiarity with the subject; you can't beat tomorrow's episode.

Until I come your way tomorrow, I'm definitely leaving you;

With lots of Love,
Your Fragile Giant!